Ever-popular award winning local amateur dramatic society St. Serf Players will be performing Cinderella from 3 – 6 December (see below).
For further information or to book tickets visit:
www.stserfsplayers.org.uk
Tag: culture and leisure
‘Mum, I’m bored …’
The October school holidays, it’s raining again – but the kids needn’t be bored. The city council is offering some ideas on how to keep the little dears happy during the holidays:
With the October holidays in full swing, families from Edinburgh and further afield will be looking for fun and inexpensive ways to entertain and spook the kids this Halloween.
From ghoulish arts and crafts workshops at Lauriston Castle and Edinburgh’s Libraries, to spooky storytelling on the Royal Mile, there is something to thrill all members of the family.
Councillor Richard Lewis, Culture and Sport Convener, said: “Falling just 10 weeks before Christmas – and not long after the summer break – the need to keep the kids amused during the October holidays can be hard to budget for. But in Edinburgh, families really are spoilt for choice.
“Whether you are looking for a low cost scare factor this Halloween, or visiting one of the city’s attractions for the first time; make sure you check what’s on at Edinburgh’s public libraries, museums, parks and sports facilities to find something to suit.”
Top five things to do at Edinburgh’s public attractions and parks
1) In the city’s haunting Old Town, take a visit to the Museum of Edinburgh which is housed in beautifully restored 16th Century buildings on the Canongate.
This October, the museum will be home to a host of storytelling events, as the 2014 Storytelling Festival kicks off once more. The museum programme features war tales and songs based on Sir Walter Scott, and older children and young adults will also enjoy hearing about gruesome moments from Auld Reekie’s past from Scotland’s Storyteller, Calum Lykan on Sunday 31 October.
2) For even more tall tales, the City’s community libraries will be open for a number of spooky events including a 1950s classic horror double bill of ‘The Fly’ and ‘Invaders from Mars’ at the Drumbrae Library Hub which will also be hosting a 1950s-themed fancy dress competition.
For younger movie fans, pay a visit to the Museum of Childhood, which will be hosting a drop-in craft event on Wednesday 15 October to tie in with Making Movies, the museum’s new exhibition all around movie making. Children can make their own spinning card animations (thaumatropes), and Scottish Screen Archive curator Emily Munro will be on hand to talk about the history of movie-making.
3) But what if the crisp Autumn weather makes you want to get outdoors? After winning a prestigious Entente Florale Gold Award for beautiful green spaces, where better to enjoy time off than by visiting one of Edinburgh’s 140 parks.
Children who aren’t afraid of creepy crawlies will love helping to build B&Bs for beasties at the Hermitage of Braid Local Nature Reserve as it prepares to home insects for the winter on Sunday 19 October. Or why not join in the Great Saughton Park Bear Hunt on Thursday 16 October in the Winter Gardens, where 30 bears will be hidden in the gardens.
4) Take a visit to East Princes Street Gardens and brave breathtaking views of Edinburgh from atop the tallest tribute to a writer in the world, the Scott Monument.
There’s no better time to conquer the 287 steps to the top than this October, which marks 100 years since Sir Walter’s publication of ‘Waverley’. Equally impressive is the Nelson Monument on Calton Hill.
5) The beautiful grounds of Lauriston Castle, laid out by William Henry Playfair in the 1840s, are also well worth a wander – especially if the family wants to get in the mood for Halloween. The Castle will be offering spooky woodland trails, craft classes to create ghoulish globes and window decorations, which can be booked at the Museums and Galleries website.
If you are looking for something crafty to do in the centre of town, an alternative spot is the City Art Centre‘s new ‘ArtSpace’, which allows children to have fun experimenting with different art materials during normal gallery opening times.
There must be something in that little lot to keep the kids amused? Enjoy the holidays!
Free environmental workshops this autumn
Edinburgh & Lothian Greenspace Trust (ELGT) are running free workshops over Autumn & Winter:
Fungi Foray
Sunday 5 October, 10am – 12noon
Colinton Dell, Edinburgh
Bird Watching
Sunday 19 October, 10am – 1pm
Colinton Dell, Edinburgh
Storytelling
Tuesday 21 October, 6pm-8pm
Hermitage of Braid, Edinburgh
Herbal First Aid
Saturday 8 November, 10am-1pm
Hermitage of Braid & Blackford Hill, Edinburgh
Basic Bush Craft – Family Friendly
Saturday 6 December, 10am-12.30pm
Hailes Quarry Woodland Park, Edinburgh
Woodland Christmas Crafts – Family Friendly
Saturday 13 December, 10am – 1pm
Water of Leith, Edinburgh.
All workshops are FREE – but booking is essential
If you wish to reserve more than one workshop please prioritise your choice and we will place you on reserve for the others.
For further information or to book contact ruth@elgt.org.uk or telephone 0131 445 4025.
Ruth Wyatt
Community Projects Officer, Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust
Cast your vote for the Forth Awards
Still time to nominate your community champion!
The ceremony recognises those living in our community as well as some of the biggest names in music and entertainment today.
Voting closes at 12noon on Sept 26th so you still have the chance to nominate someone from your community that you think goes the extra mile and deserves to be recognised for their hard work.
Please have a look around and nominate someone who you think deserves an award. Perhaps you know a community group who have raised funds for your local area or maybe you know of a teacher that goes the extra mile? Alongside this we also award The Best Artist, Fringe Act and Sports Recognition.
You can nominate who you think deserves to win here!
Just by casting your vote you can be in with a chance of winning VIP tickets to the event at The Usher Hall on Thursday 20th November 2014.
This year’s line-up is TOP SECRET until the day itself … previous guest appearances have included JAMES BLUNT, BOY GEORGE, THE STEREOPHONICS, PAULO NUTTINI, OLLY MURS, TEXAS, THE WANTED, DEACON BLUE, DAVID GRAY, ALESHA DIXON to name but just a few!
Usher Hall celebrates Edwardian Edinburgh
The Usher Hall continues centenary year celebrations this Saturday (13 September) with a Family Edwardian Day …
Edinburgh’s concert venue, The Usher Hall, is inviting families to step back in time and discover what life would have been like in the Hall when it first opened its doors in 1914. An action-packed day for all the family is planned with an array of activities including story-telling, traditional games, arts and crafts from this bygone era.
In the company of costumed characters representing Edwardian society, families will be taken on an engaging journey through the Usher Hall hearing stories from its past and exploring areas not normally open to the public. Standing on the famous stage where many stars have performed is sure to be a highlight of this event.
Councillor Richard Lewis, Edinburgh’s Culture and Sport Convener, said: “The Family Edwardian Day will be a unique opportunity to explore behind the scenes at the Usher Hall and find out what it was like to visit 100 years ago.
“The Usher Hall has been hosting concerts ever since it was gifted to the city by local whisky distiller, Andrew Usher, back in 1914. While its A-listed walls have welcomed some of the world’s best musicians over the years, many people do not know that the hall was once equipped to act as an air raid shelter during the Second World War.
“The Usher Hall has been at the heart of Edinburgh throughout recent history, and if you look closely, you will see many familiar figures from Scotland’s past depicted in the decoration of the hall including Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson. The open day will give people the chance to hear about these secrets.”
The event is suitable for primary school children and children must be accompanied by an adult on the tour. Booking is essential and tours take place at 10.30am, 12noon, 1.30pm, 3pm and last approximately 60 minutes. Tours provided by Mercat Tours Ltd.
Tickets cost £10 or £30 for a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children).
For further details on tickets contact the box office on 0131 228 1155 or visit
Cancer charity fundraiser at Spartans this Sunday
The Jordan Houston Trust, a charity established in 2012 to support children suffering from cancer and their families, is holding a fundraising family fun day event at Spartans on Sunday.
Jordan, who died aged eleven from a rare type of brain tumour, was a football fanatic so it’s fitting that the highlight of the family fun day is a match between the Jordan Houston Trust Select and the mighty Hibs (kick off 4pm)!
For further information on the charity visit www.jordanhoustontrust.org
New exhibition reveals ‘another world’ of Scottish film
Changing experiences of childhood documented on film
Films and videos shot by some of Scotland’s pioneering amateur filmmakers will be showcased in a new exhibition now open at the City of Edinburgh Council’s Museum of Childhood.
This new archive has been developed through a four year research project undertaken by experts at the University of Glasgow. They have helped locate over 2,000 home movies, fiction films and sponsored documentaries made in Scotland throughout the twentieth century.
The project, entitled ‘Children and Amateur Media in Scotland’, charted the changing experiences of childhood. Together the films offer a unique and important insight into Scotland’s hidden cultural history.
It shows how children were represented by amateur filmmakers throughout the twentieth century, how they became film-makers themselves, and offers our only visual window into many domestic and community scenes, now lost, but once familiar to many.
Councillor Richard Lewis, Convener of Culture and Sport at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “The Museum of Childhood is one of Edinburgh’s most loved museums with an extraordinary collection of toys and games. For over 50 years, the museum has charted the changing environments children have grown up in, and the different ways they have played.
“The films involved give a fascinating glimpse into the past and the exhibition will perfectly complement the existing collections, while offering something completely new for visitors.”
Professor Karen Lury, Professor of Film & Television Studies and Principal Investigator of the project said: “What we have discovered is that there is ‘another world’ of Scottish film – many, many amateur film-makers, community arts workers and school teachers all making films that reveal a lively and imaginative culture that deserves to be celebrated. The industry and creativity of these amateur film-makers – young and old – rivals the professional industry in Scotland in terms of its global reach and historic importance.”
“We believe that when brought together, the resources produced through this project will create a unique and compelling visual document of Scottish popular history and of Scottish childhood that otherwise would have been lost.”
Working in collaboration with the Scottish Screen Archive, researchers have made these films available for study by experts and for public enjoyment via the SSA’s online catalogue.
The archive will allow the children of today to look back in time to see the culture and society that their parents and grandparents experienced as part of their own childhood.
The free exhibition will run until 18 May 2015 at the Museum of Childhood.
Click the link to Find out more information on the ‘Children in Amateur Media in Scotland’ project.
Porty pottery – do you dig it?
Residents in Portobello are being urged to take a closer look at their own back gardens this weekend to help archaeologists uncover the secrets of the area’s once-thriving pottery industry.
The area has a rich industrial heritage, with a ceramics industry that thrived in the town for more than 200 years.
Dig Portobello, an initiative from Portobello Heritage Trust (PHT) which is supported by the City of Edinburgh Council and The National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund, will see small trenches dug to examine potteries from Portobello’s past.
Councillor Richard Lewis, Culture Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Edinburgh has a fascinating history and this project will really allow members of the community to discover sections of Portobello – and their own back gardens – that have been buried for almost 250 years. Budding archaeologists don’t even need to have their own garden to dig in as selected pieces of council-land will also be unearthed.”
Portobello Heritage Trust’s chair Margaret Munro said: “We can’t wait to start digging. We are very proud of our heritage, but want to know more about our industries. This project gives everyone in the community the chance to find out more over an exciting weekend of activities.”
Get involved
The people of Portobello are being encouraged to sign up and dig a small trench no more than 1m x 2m in size in their gardens, with the guidance of professional archaeologists. Those without gardens or people from outside the area can also take part, as the council has given permission for test pits to be dug on selected areas of council-owned land.
A range of activities will take place over the weekend, all based at or starting from The Wash House Community Centre on Adelphi Grove. Volunteers of all abilities are encouraged to sign up for free geophysical survey training on Friday 29 August at 12pm and an introductory talk at 7:30pm. The archaeological explorations will take place from 10am on Saturday 30 August–Sunday 31 August.
The project will also provide guided walks around Portobello and a range of drop-in workshops, including sessions on ceramics, artefacts, and ‘Wee Pottery Workshops’ for children. The full timetable and information on how to sign up can be found at AOC Archaeology.
To sign up for the geophysical survey training, to take part in the excavations, or to register your children, please contact the Portobello Heritage Trust with details of which days you would like to participate. Please specify whether you are digging in your own garden, and please let them know of the address.
Contact Margaret Munro of the Portobello Heritage Trust on 0131 657 2866 or munroporto(at)hotmail.com
Dare you enter … The Twilight Zone?
I’m writing to tell you about a programme at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery for after-school clubs and family groups called The Twilight Zone.
Get the gallery to yourselves after-hours or come at the weekends and enjoy fun, interactive tours or creative workshops. Visits are free of charge to community groups.
Read all about it here:
www.nationalgalleries.org/TwilightZone
Meg Faragher
Families and Communities Learning Co-ordinator
National Galleries of Scotland
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
1 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JD
Tel: 0131 624 6428
M: 07814751087
mfaragher@nationalgalleries.org
North Edinburgh Arts launches Autumn programme
Summer’s almost over, but cheer up – North Edinburgh Arts have just launched their exciting Autumn programme!
The holidays are over but the fun doesn’t have to be!
North Edinburgh Arts can’t wait to see you all back again to enjoy our packed Autumn programme.
Activities for Children
Join Alice in Zoo Arts every Wednesday from 4.00 – 5.30pm. These visual art sessions are for local young artists (9-14 years) who would like to be inspired, improve their creative skills and get involved with exciting visual art projects that run on a 2-4 week basis. Sessions are 50p per child which includes a healthy snack. Follow them onFacebook here.
Thursday and Saturday mornings see the return of Create, our very popular creative, messy play project for 0-5 year olds and their parents/carers. The sessions demonstrate resourceful and inspiring ways to actively learn with your wee ones. These drop-in sessions run from 10am -12noon and are are 50p per child per session. ‘Like’ them on Facebook here.
Eco Kidz is back with more ideas to turn recylcing into crafty, sellable items. Learn a variety of skills in these fun sessions including art, design, craft, marketing and retailing. The group will eventually go on to sell items made in these weekly sessions. Eco-Kidz is on Friday, 1.45 – 3.15pm and all sessions are free. ‘Like’ them on Facebook here.
If you’re looking for a way to burn off some energy and get creative on a Saturday morning, NEA has everything you need . Along with our Create sessions, we also runart and danceworkshops for children aged 5-12 years. Between 10am – 12noon, the two age groups (5-8 and 9-12years) alternate between high energy dance sessions and colourful art and craft workshops. A healthy snack is provided half way through and it only costs 50p. Arrive in plenty of time as these popular drop in sessions are always busy!
Programme for Adults
The North Edinburgh Theatre Project is working on a very exciting project, 1d Tenement Opera project for production in January 2015 and you are very welcome to join.
Join in if you are interested in singing, dancing, making costumes, lighting & sound, making sets, drawing and designing, writing for the blog and doing stories, photography, social history, making sure the people of North Edinbrugh tell the stories… and spreading more whispers and rumours about the project.
If you are interested in some of the activities and you would like to find out more, please contact box office on 0131 315 2151.
United We Stand, 17th October, 7.30pm
Townsend Productions presents a powerful new play by Neil Gore based on the true story of one of the most turbulent industrial battles – the 1972 Builders’ Strike.
Tickets: £8, £5 concession, £3.00 good neighbours.
townsendproductions.org.uk
The Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival
24th October, 7.00 – 8.00pm
The SMHAFF is one of Scotland’s most diverse cultural events. North Edinburgh Timebank Temptation singers showcase the transforming power of communal singing in their performance of various rock, folk, pop and world music titled ‘Lean on Me’.
Tickets are free. Booking is advised.
www.mhfestival.com
Lockerbie: Lost Voices, 31st October, 7.30pm
Lee Geshuny’s new play follows six passengers onto Pam Am Flight 103 destroyed over Lockerbie by a bomb in 1988. Tribute to those who tried to uncover the truth about the tragedy.
Tickets: £8, £5 concession, £3.50 good neighbours.
www.sacc.org.uk/articles/2013/lockerbie-lost-voices
Luminate Festival 1st – 31st october
If Luminate has one message, it’s that creativity has no age. Luminate includes new work, collaborations and international projects specially planned and programmed for the festival, as well as independently-run projects led by a wide range of cultural and community organisations.
www.luminatescotland.org
To book tickets for any of the above events, call box office on 0131 315 2151 or emailadmin@northedinburgharts.co.uk.
Pop-In Cafe
Our Pop-In Cafe is open Monday – Friday, 10am – 2pm and Saturday 10am – 12noon. We use ingredients grown in our very own garden and Michele cooks up delicious specials every day to make lunch time a real treat. We also serve delicous freshly ground coffee and home made cakes everyday. See full menu here.
NEA Garden
The NEA garden run Tuesday afternoon drop-in sessions, 1-5pm for families and 16+ years (children must be accompanied). Learn how to grow your own vegetables, herbs and other useful gardening skills in these free sessions run by Valla, outr community gardener. If you would like to be involved in the garden outside of these sessons, please contact Valla directly at northedinburghgrows@gmail.com. Keep up to date on their blog here.
